MIAMI — Windstar Cruises has announced that it will be lifting its COVID-19 vaccine requirement on June 1, 2023.

With the relaxed rules, guests will no longer need to be vaccinated against the virus in order to sail with the small ship cruise line. However, crew will still be required to be vaccinated and will be tested for COVID-19 upon their first arrival to work, during their first week, and as needed moving forward.

Though no longer required, Windstar still recommends that guests remain up to date with vaccinations.

“When combined with the widespread availability of vaccines and medical treatments, the risk factors are considerably lower now, giving us the confidence to lift the requirement,” said Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. “We’ve learned much over the past few years and will continue to follow the policies of each country we visit, as well as evaluate and use public health tools at our disposal to continue to safely sail and travel the world.”

Prelog added that Windstar has invested millions in upgrading its six-ship fleet’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to incorporate high-tech air filtration with HEPA filters and UV-C irradiation. The hospital-grade UV-C lights are proven to kill germs and microbes like mold, bacteria and fungi. Windstar will also continue to carry diagnostic tests on board for guests and implement cleanliness and sanitation measures, including stocking handwashing stations and sanitizer dispensers. 

Windstar first revised its COVID-19 protocols last September when it eliminated pre-cruise COVID-19 testing for embarking guests. 

For more details on Windstar’s health and safety measures go to https://www.windstarcruises.com/health-safety/overview/.